Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 376 to 400 of 1795 results

1 Corinthians 9:1-27

Sermon

Johnny Dean

... . Paul did not try and make others like him. He did not try and convert them instantly overnight to become preachers and teachers. Instead he changed his thinking and his approach to meet them in their world - where they are. That doesn't mean he took on their life style. No, he kept his focus on Christ but instead he tried to experience things from their point of view. To use a more modern example. If we were to try and witness to an alcoholic who does not see any value in their life and has given up, we ...

377. Trying to Face the Strain

Genesis 28:10-22

Sermon

Johnny Dean

... that’s exactly what it was about. The songwriters and performing artists wanted to express their displeasure or discontent with a variety of social or political issues of the day: the war in Viet Nam; the rules and regulations parents place upon children; the style of clothing or length of hair you had to have in order to be considered "respectable." Most of the songs had to do with changes. Phil Ochs, one of my personal favorite writers of that era, talked about change as something to be anticipated ...

378. Mother's Day Gifts

Ephesians 6:10-20

Sermon

R. E. Lybrand

... , he looked at them with tears in his eyes and said, in a sorrowful tone, "I wish I could give my mother a more honorable son." That young man was grieving about the fact that his dishonorable life and actions had dishonored his mother. A child's life-style reflects on his parents. Children, if you want to give honor to your mother, then live an honorable life. When you're out with your friends, having the time of your life, far from your parents' eyes, ask yourself, "Would my mother be proud of what I am ...

379. The Piety That Isn't

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Sermon

Carl Jech

... when God is identified with a particular candidate or party, embarrassed by the stark polarization between "liberal" and "conservative" churches over the issues of (1) church doctrine and practice, (2) abortion, (3) church and state issues, (4) interpretation of the Bible, (5) life-styles, and (6) views on morality. In this video age of images, where the outward image is so strong that Michael J. Fox, Tina Turner and Michael Jackson don't even have to say the name Pepsi to sell the product in a commercial ...

380. Jesus, Mary, Gustav Mahler, Brother Martin, and the Magi

Luke 20:9-19

Sermon

Carl Jech

... again be brought together." One of the things we can learn from the voice of Hinduism is that there are different styles of being religious. Hindus distinguish between what they call the way of devotion, the way of ritual, and the way of ... the more typical form of devotion or ritual. We need to learn that God's grace can be channeled through all of these religious styles. Another religious voice that too often has not been heard is that of women. In recent years a significant number of Christians have taken ...

381. Some Women's Stories

John 7:45--8:11

Sermon

Carl Jech

... said, "It's dangerous to be just with your own kind ... the church must say 'I accept you as you are,' not 'I'll accept you when you get like me.' " It has been noted that the "baby-boom" generation tends to be much more accepting of non-traditional life-styles. Must we not face the fact that true mission is not simply the same as promoting tradition? Must we not expand our horizons on what it means to be channels for God's grace? A woman named Jo Brans has written a book called "Mother, I Have Something to ...

382. Names, Not Numbers

Deuteronomy 26:1-15

Sermon

Carl Hoefler

... . We think we can attain status by our conquest and control of material things. We are what we possess. The more riches of this world that we can grab hold of and claim for ourselves, the better will be our status in society. We watch the TV program Life Styles of the Rich and Famous. Our idea of heaven becomes a Park Avenue apartment and a house on the Riviera with a yacht anchored in the harbor. Our Bible becomes the Wall Street Journal. Our church is a health spa where we go, not to save our souls, but ...

383. Watching Jesus

Luke 14:1-14

Sermon

Wallace H. Kirby

... to wonder if he really believed and followed his own message. A noted TV religious personality is reported to have purchased a $449,000 home in addition to a new Mercedes-Benz and a Rolls-Royce. When asked about this discrepancy of message and life-style, he said that he and his wife "just had to have a little place of our own." Jesus’ watchers wanted to uncover something like that; with it they could deflate the disturbing attractions of this prophet from Nazareth. I So they watched Jesus. They watched ...

384. Mission to Unbelievers

Luke 16:19-31

Sermon

Wallace H. Kirby

... Ecclesiastes tradition, and of Dives and his brothers - the unbelieving crowd. I One vital element of this effort is an intellectually respectable presentation of the faith. How many sensitive and thoughtful persons do we lose when we insist on presenting Christianity in forms and styles that do not speak to today’s mind-set? A young man came to my office who had been feeling the claim of God upon his life. He was reading the New Testament and had gotten into the Book of Revelation, where his university ...

385. Some Man

Luke 10:38-42

Sermon

... any of that. You can’t even know if it is going on." He is supposed to spend his life, the rest of it at any rate, in that sort of situation. Oddly enough, so many people choose the wrong priorities in life and fashion, as did Martha, a limited style of living that is almost like a self-made prison or jail-cell. Martha was troubled and worried about preparing and serving dinner to the Lord; she wanted things to be perfect, and she needed help, but she didn’t get it from Christ. "Mary has chosen the good ...

386. Dead or Alive?

Joel 2:28-32

Sermon

... to have consciences that are asleep or dead. I wonder if they only need to be aroused to a life-giving flow of sensitivity, or if some unremoved tourniquet has produced irreversible death. No doubt you have seen the television show entitled Life Styles of the Rich and Famous. Have you wondered, as I have, about these persons? How can they so freely immerse themselves in such opulence and self-indulgence in the presence, and often on the backs, of countless other persons suffering great need and deprivation ...

387. The Demanding Word

Matthew 13:1-23

Sermon

... a devouring fire, like a crushing hammer, as sharp as a two-edged sword. We really need to face the question quite seriously of what the Word of God is for. Is it to soothe, to comfort, to confirm a style of life that I have long ago decided upon and now have all set up in my daily routine - a style of life I do not expect to be challenged or changed anyway? Too many people approach the Word of God with their minds made up. They don't expect the Word to demand anything. So it comes out sounding rather ...

388. Lent 2

Lk 9:18-36; 13:31-35 · Php 3:17--4:1 · Jer 26:8-15 · Gen 15:1-12, 17-18

Sermon Aid

John R. Brokhoff

... is your disobedience to God. Kill your preacher for what God told him to say and you just add to your sins. Lesson 2: Philippians 3:17--4:1 1. "Take me, for Example!" How shall we live as Christians? There are all kinds of laws, traditions, customs, new styles of life. How can we obey all the moral codes? Haven't times changed and brought changes in more customs and values? The best way to learn to live a Christian life is by having a model, imitating a worthy example. Paul in this lesson asks us to imitate ...

389. Proper 12

Romans 8:28-39, Exodus 3:1-22

Bulletin Aid

First Lesson: Exodus 3:13-20 Theme: God, the Deliverer Call to Worship Pastor: We worship a God who intervenes in history to deliver his people. People: God did a mighty thing when he called Moses to deliver the Israelites from Egypt. Pastor: The God who revealed himself through Moses is the same God who has revealed himself to us through his Son. People: We praise God for our deliverance from sin, and hope of sharing in his kingdom. Collect Most gracious God, you always know where your people are, and ...

390. The Committed Life

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Bulletin Aid

... Lord. Amen. Prayer of Confession Our intent is to be Christian, Father; but our commitment to live the Christian life is not true to our intentions. We practice what we see more than what we say. Forgive us for our failure to demonstrate our convictions through our life style. Strengthen us by your Spirit; that our faith, hope, and love may determine the way we live. In our Savior's name we pray. Amen. Hymns "My Hope Is Built" O For a Faith that Will Not Shrink" "O Jesus, I Have Promised" "O Master, Let Me ...

391. Third Sunday in Lent

Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11, John 4:1-26, John 4:27-38, John 4:39-42

Bulletin Aid

First Lesson: Exodus 17:3-7 Theme: Hardened hearts and God's salvation Call to Worship Pastor: There is a very ugly side to human nature: God guides, protects, and loves us. Yet we find it so easy to rebel against him. People: God blesses us so much, that when we must face hardships, we feel he has deserted us. Pastor: When the Israelites complained to Moses about not having water, God proved he had not deserted them and gave them water from a rock. People: We know our sinfulness hurts God. Yet in Christ, ...

392. A Claim to a Crown

Matthew 24:36-51

Sermon

George Bass

... were attracted to a small, faceless sculpture, handless arms unraised, back gracefully curved, which was titled, "Free Spirit;" it was the work of Brother Jerome Cox. On the other side of the room, also on the wall, we discovered a crucifix done in exactly the same style, but with a difference. This figure had a face, hands, and could be identified as the Risen Lord, who seemed to be bursting forth from the tomb. He has conquered the cross and death, and it is obvious he is the reason for the "Free Spirit ...

393. Second Lesson

Matthew 5:13-16

Sermon

... cannot be, any more than could the disciples, "the light of the world" by ourselves; we need to be connected to Christ, as the disciples were, to shine forth so people will see God in Jesus Christ. Jesus also made it quite clear to them that their life-styles could either enhance their "light" or detract from it in the eyes of people whom they met and to whom they preached. Christian freedom doesn’t mean believers can live any way they want to, do anything that pleases them; that is the way of the world ...

394. Proper 7

Matthew 10:1-42, Romans 5:12-21, Genesis 28:10-22

Bulletin Aid

First Lesson: Genesis 28:10-17 Theme: God renews his covenant with Jacob Call to Worship Pastor: God expressed confidence in Jacob even though Jacob was unworthy through sin. People: As Jacob was running from his sin, God came to him with the assurance of divine protection. Pastor: God renewed the covenant he had made with Abraham, promising Jacob he would be blessed with God's faithfulness. People: Like Jacob, may we realize God's presence in our lives, and commit our ways to him. Collect O loving God, ...

395. Proper 13

Matthew 14:13-21, Romans 9:1-5

Bulletin Aid

Second Lesson: Romans 9:1-5 Theme: Paul's heartbreak Call To Worship Leader: Let all who would carry the Gospel of Christ to the nations gather. People: For there are wonderful peoples in every land yet to hear of Christ. Leader: Some have already heard the Good News yet they have turned away. People: Would that we could give our lives so all might accept God's love. Leader: But God's love is so real we were each created free to choose. All: Blessed be the name of the Lord! Collect O God, You knew us even ...

396. Easter 3

Acts 2:14-41, Acts 2:42-47, Isaiah 43:1-13, 1 Peter 1:13-2:3, Luke 24:13-35

Sermon Aid

... The late Edmund A. Steimle wrote and preached a sermon on this text, which he entitled "The Stranger," and included as the "title sermon" in a volume of radio sermons called, God, the Stranger. It is a biblical sermon cast in the narrative style that Steimle developed in his teaching and preaching career (see Preaching the Story). In it he interweaves his story and other human stories with the biblical account of this walk to Emmaus. The outline is simple and uncomplicated, accepting and following the story ...

397. Proper 12 & Pentecost 10

1 Kings 3:1-15, Exodus 3:1-22, Romans 8:18-27, Romans 8:28-39, Matthew 13:44-46, Matthew 13:47-52

Sermon Aid

... now, but you might as well make as much as you possibly can, don't you think?" Rather typically, they are living for the present, for what they can accumulate and enjoy; they will do whatever they have to do to improve their already affluent life-style even more. One could conclude that their hearts are where their treasures are, despite the fact that they can see the steeple of the church where they were married, and where their two children were baptized, from their home that is high atop a hill; they ...

398. The Wolf and The Lamb Inside Us (Sermon Series 1)

Isaiah 11:1-16

Sermon

Bill Bouknight

... there decided to limit their outdoor decorations to a single white candle in each window. That candle declared that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. It affirmed that Jesus alone is Lord. This style of decorating caught on and spread across the country. It is the opposite of the gaudy and tacky style that is popular in many places. The single candle in the window is beautiful in its simplicity. It declares that in this home and in these hearts, Jesus Christ comes first. Anytime a person claims ...

399. For Christ’s Sake, What’s Going On?

Matthew 18:15-20

Sermon

Michael L. Sherer

... simply, we don’t live our Christian lives that way because we can’t. We were not made to live in a solitary style. It would not be long before a crushing sort of loneliness and hopelessness swept over us, persuading us that by ourselves we ... it? We must know the mind of Christ. How shall we know that? We must know what Christ is like, what he has promised, what his style was when he ministered among us, and the shape of the discipleship he calls us to. In other words, to know what is Christ-pleasing, we ...

400. Surprise! Surprise!

Matthew 25:31-46

Sermon

Michael L. Sherer

... surprise to us that we are guilty, constantly, of drawing boundaries around ourselves and our neighborhood and our congregation and our values, so that when those, who have slipped into poverty or crime or hopelessness, come into view, we find they don’t fit our convenient life-style. It’s not that we hate such people. We just don’t want to be right next door to them, and, God forbid, we don’t want them beside us in the pew. In the first parish I served, it was sometimes customary for men who drove ...

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